German Archbishop: Religious Neutrality Must Not Become Policy to Block Religion
Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, Chairman of the German Conference of Catholic Bishops, warned that the principle of religious neutrality of states must not evolve into a “policy to prevent religion”. The right to practice one’s religion has to be assured to the full extent by national governments as well as the European Union, the archbishop demanded.
Public manifestation of religion is a fundamental right that has to be communicated consistently and reconciled with other, equally fundamental rights, Zollitsch said. Today, many things are questioned, he continued. “Therefore we have to – and we want to – give reasons for our actions”, the archbishop said. Among those are the display of crucifixes in public buildings, the ringing of church bells, and the protection of Sunday as a public holiday.
View source (in German): http://www.katholisch.de/Nachricht.aspx?NId=5787